High levels of antibodies against clotting factor VIII (FVIII) were associated with a slower response to immunosuppressive treatments in a small group of people with acquired hemophilia A in new study in China. Of 34 patients, 29 achieved a complete response to their first-line immunosuppressive therapy. Still, a lower…

I’ve learned to expect the unexpected when dealing with my bleeding disorders. A few days ago, I took a bike ride with my twin nephews who were visiting from Wisconsin. My small city of Punta Gorda, Florida, has a great bike loaner program. Bicycles, tricycles, and handcycles are available…

Tattoos and piercings are artistically and sociologically significant in cultures across the globe. Throughout history, people have held varying opinions about each. But now that we’re a more global community, these skin-deep forms of self-expression have largely become mainstream. I have a couple tattoos, as well as numerous piercings in…

In September, I decided to revamp my pathetic and inconsistent fitness routine. In a moment of desperation, I ordered a Peloton bike. I needed to lose weight and was out of shape. Not a good feeling. With my bleeding disorders, walking causes my foot and knee to swell. I…

As a pastor, one of my favorite things to do is to mentor men and women who respond to a call to ordained ministry. I enjoy theological conversations that spark great debates and critical analysis. Mentees and I form a collegial bond that lasts many years. First, I help them…

Treatment with the experimental gene therapy fidanacogene elaparvovec led to significant reductions in bleeding rates for men with moderately severe to severe hemophilia B who participated in a Phase 3 clinical trial. That’s according to top-line data from the study BENEGENE-2 (NCT03861273), recently announced by the therapy’s developer,…

First, I want to make something clear. This column isn’t titled “In the Twinkling of an Eye: The Money Issue.” When I speak of investing, I mean directing our energy to different areas of our life. Think of it as depositing essential acts of kindness and assistance to those we…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared CRYOcheck Chromogenic Factor IX assay, a test intended to be used by clinical labs to detect a deficiency in factor IX (FIX), the cause of hemophilia B. The chromogenic, or color-based, test developed by Precision BioLogic is reported…

Christmas season has always been stressful for me. I live in Florida, but my family lives in the arctic tundra of Illinois and Wisconsin. I can’t understand why my mom and I travel north instead of having  everyone come to us in sunny Florida, but as I often say, “It…